Kazuo Ishiguro Awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature

astrangerhere · 10-05-2017, 08:47 AM

From the New York Times:

Quote:

The English author Kazuo Ishiguro was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature on Thursday for what the prize committee in Sweden said were works that uncovered “the abyss beneath our illusory sense of connection with the world.”

And from the BBC (emphasis my own):

Quote:

The 62-year-old writer said the award was "flabbergastingly flattering".

He has written eight books, which have been translated into over 40 languages.

When contacted by the BBC, he admitted he hadn't been contacted by the Nobel committee and wasn't sure whether it was a hoax.

"It's a magnificent honour, mainly because it means that I'm in the footsteps of the greatest authors that have lived, so that's a terrific commendation."

HarryT · 10-05-2017, 08:50 AM

It's on the official Nobel Prize website:

https://www.nobelprize.org/

It doesn't seem to be uncommon for people to find out they've won the literature prize from the press. Famously happened with Doris Lessing:

astrangerhere · 10-05-2017, 08:52 AM

Oh, I wasn't questioning the authenticity. I just found it amusing that the prize was so out of left field that the author himself thought it might be a hoax.

Yet another year where Murakami is the odds-on favorite...

HarryT · 10-05-2017, 09:01 AM

"The Remains of the Day" is a wonderful book. Well worth reading, if anyone hasn't done so.

sun surfer · 10-05-2017, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

"The Remains of the Day" is a wonderful book. Well worth reading, if anyone hasn't done so.

I agree. I'm delighted that he won. After Remains, I had started reading his books from the beginning, but so far have only read the first, heh. That one is A Pale View of Hills, which was okay but I don't think he'd hit his stride yet. This news is another reason for me to get back on track with my Ishiguro.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

It's on the official Nobel Prize website:

https://www.nobelprize.org/

It doesn't seem to be uncommon for people to find out they've won the literature prize from the press. Famously happened with Doris Lessing:

Thanks for that; I hadn't seen it before. 'It's a royal flush.'

Deskisamess · 10-05-2017, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

"The Remains of the Day" is a wonderful book. Well worth reading, if anyone hasn't done so.

I agree. I’ve read it a couple of times.

The movie isn’t bad either. The camera work and cast are fabulous.

astrangerhere · 10-05-2017, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

"The Remains of the Day" is a wonderful book. Well worth reading, if anyone hasn't done so.

I totally agree. I also adore Never Let Me Go. Though the movie adaptation was not as good as it might have been.

Dr. Drib · 10-05-2017, 09:29 AM

WONDERFUL NEWS!

A GREAT WRITER!

latepaul · 10-05-2017, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

"The Remains of the Day" is a wonderful book. Well worth reading, if anyone hasn't done so.

Well you're in good company to think so. Jeff Bezos just tweeted that it's his favourite novel.

I keep meaning to read but the movie was already very powerful. I'd need to be in a very happy place to cope with the emotional gut punch if the book's as good or better.

I've only read "Never Let Me Go" of his but I did enjoy it.

JSWolf · 10-05-2017, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

"The Remains of the Day" is a wonderful book. Well worth reading, if anyone hasn't done so.

Never Let Me Go is a very odd book and the movie was rubbish. The book is better.

latepaul · 10-05-2017, 01:57 PM

I thought the film was pretty good. Beautifully shot. Definitely towards the better end of book adaptations.

barryem · 10-05-2017, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

"The Remains of the Day" is a wonderful book. Well worth reading, if anyone hasn't done so.

I've read that and "Never Let Me Go" and both are really beautiful books. I was excited to hear he'd won. I can't think of a living writer who deserves it more.

Barry

JSWolf · 10-06-2017, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barryem

I've read that and "Never Let Me Go" and both are really beautiful books. I was excited to hear he'd won. I can't think of a living writer who deserves it more.

Barry

M.L. Stedman

HarryT · 10-06-2017, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

M.L. Stedman

Stedman appears to have only written a single novel, in 2012 (which I must admit I hadn't heard of). The Nobel tends to be more of a recognition of lifetime achievement, rather than being awarded for a single work. One novel written within the last 5 years is insufficient to determine whether an author is going to make a lasting impression on the literary world, I would suggest.

drjenkins · 10-06-2017, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Never Let Me Go is a very odd book and the movie was rubbish. The book is better.

I agree. Don't let the movie dissuade you from reading the book

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10-05-2017, 08:50 AM	#2
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,560 Karma: 93980341 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	It's on the official Nobel Prize website: https://www.nobelprize.org/ It doesn't seem to be uncommon for people to find out they've won the literature prize from the press. Famously happened with Doris Lessing:

10-05-2017, 08:52 AM	#3
astrangerhere Professor of Law Posts: 3,755 Karma: 68428716 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Chapel Hill, NC Device: Kobo Elipsa, Kobo Libra H20, Kobo Aura One, KoboMini	Oh, I wasn't questioning the authenticity. I just found it amusing that the prize was so out of left field that the author himself thought it might be a hoax. Yet another year where Murakami is the odds-on favorite...

10-05-2017, 09:01 AM	#4
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,560 Karma: 93980341 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	"The Remains of the Day" is a wonderful book. Well worth reading, if anyone hasn't done so.

10-05-2017, 09:29 AM	#8
Dr. Drib Grand Sorcerer Posts: 45,613 Karma: 60184181 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Peru Device: KINDLE: Oasis 3, Scribe (1st), Matcha; KOBO: Libra 2, Libra Colour	WONDERFUL NEWS! A GREAT WRITER!

10-05-2017, 01:57 PM	#11
latepaul Wizard Posts: 1,270 Karma: 10468300 Join Date: Dec 2011 Device: a variety (mostly kindles and kobos)	I thought the film was pretty good. Beautifully shot. Definitely towards the better end of book adaptations.